52: To Those Whose Hearts Have Been Turned Towards Home
I just returned from a homeschool conference. The travel was arduous, the bed was different, and I am tired from standing on a concrete floor for 8-10 hours a day. But deep down I feel rich and blessed beyond words. I just had the privilege of being with the salt of the earth for three days.
I have had the incredible opportunity of sharing deep meaningful fellowship with people from all walks of life who share a common affection for God and their family. Such camaraderie is precious and while I am weary on the outside I feel wealthy on the inside.
Perhaps this is what Paul was referring to when he said, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
As I was flying home Sunday morning I was thinking of the high points of the weekend and what I was particularly thankful for. I recalled the many meaningful conversations after meetings. I remembered the smiling faces of math students at the booth in the vendor hall.
At the top of my list was seeing 140 men, over the course of several sessions, sign up for the Men’s Testosterone Challenge. These men committed to reading “The Christian Home and Family Worship” within 30 days or send Building Faith Families a check for $25.00.
I am always impressed to see fathers and husbands take time off from work to attend a homeschooling conference. By attending meetings and reading this book they are pursuing ways to better lead their families in reading the word of God in their homes. When I saw them gathered around the front of the room, signing up for the challenge, my heart was moved.
Throughout the weekend I saw many of the same men at the session on “Strategies for Building Up Wives”. Just the fact that they would choose to attend a session on how to be a better husband again stirred me. I can only conclude that these are men whose hearts God has touched and turned their hearts towards their family as described in Malachi 4:6.
I personally think that wives understand the importance of family and family relationships better than men. Wives are generally better at nurturing and bonding with their children than Dads. But it is my conviction that God has worked in these men’s lives and turn their hearts towards their families.
Jesus said that we can tell where our hearts are by what we value. He said where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. I used to restrict the word treasure to mean simply money, but now I think it means what we hold most dear and where we invest our time and energies.
To all the Dads and Moms that I have had the privilege of meeting over the years, I honor you each for investing your time and energy into being better spouses and parents. And I affirm that God is indeed working deeply in your hearts and inclining them towards God and each other.
May the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you each in this season of your life,
Steve
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